The irreparable damage

New Democratic Front Presidential (DNF) candidate Sarath Fonseka's false, irresponsible and malicious statement betraying the valiant Security Forces has done an irreparable damage. It has not only devalued the great feats of our Security Forces, but has also influenced the United Nations to question Sri Lanka of war crimes.

The true extent of the damage caused by Fonseka's statement would only be known in the weeks to come. The UN will not confine it to questioning but may even take drastic action against our country. As a result, lives of soldiers who served in the 58 Division, commanded by the then Brigadier Shavendra Silva, are in danger.

The impeccable record of the Security Forces as the only Armed Force in the world to crush terrorism has been tarnished. That would also deprive the opportunity Sri Lankan soldiers have had of serving in the UN Peace Keeping Forces in foreign countries. The foreign training and opportunities to take part in workshops abroad too would be curtailed as some countries in the West would now adopt a different stand.

In case the allegations against Sri Lanka are upheld by the UN, our leaders may have to face a War Crimes Tribunal. The NDF candidate had not taken revenge from one person but from the entire nation - the greatest crime one could commit.

But as a true leader, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has always stated that he is prepared to face any allegation against Sri Lanka's Security Forces and that he would never betray our soldiers under any circumstance.

The interview given by Fonseka to the Sunday Leader on December 13, 2009 wherein he alleges that three LTTE leaders who came to surrender with white flags during the final stages of the battle were shot dead by advancing soldiers, has opened an UN probe into possible war crimes charges against the country's heroic Security Forces.

That is a serious allegation and is even more harmful than the charges that were levelled against former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet as they were only circumstantial where as the charges made against Major General Shavendra Silva were categorical.

The shameless statement of former Army Commander turned novice politician has led the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions Philip Alston sending a letter to the President, demanding an explanation on the allegations made by Fonseka that the Defence Secretary has instructed the Commander of the 58th Brigade of the Sri Lanka Army to shoot those surrendering.

Based merely on Fonseka's controversial statement, the UN is inquiring particularly of the circumstances which led to the "deaths of three representatives of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Balasingham Nadesan, Seevaratnam Pulidevan and Ramesh, as well as members of their families, in the nights of 17 to 18 May, 2009."

The UN Rapporteur goes on to say that the base for his questioning is the information that he has received on the allegations made by Fonseka in the abovementioned interview. He also says "accounts of journalists embedded with the SLA 58th Brigade confirm some of the alleged circumstances of the deaths of Nadesan, Pulidevan and Ramesh and their families." Referring to "fundamental legal rules applicable to all armed conflicts under international humanitarian law and human rights law", particularly Article 5 of the Geneva Convention of 1949, the Special Rapporteur has inquired about the accuracy of the allegations and demanded information and documentary proof in the event that the accusations are inaccurate.

The letter sent by the UN also seeks information on the family members of LTTE terrorist leaders Nadesan , Pulidevan and Ramesh.

What baffles the masses as to why Fonseka, who apparently claims that he single-handedly commanded the war, made such a childish statement? Could a person aspiring to be the First Citizen of a country make such an irresponsible statement to bring disrepute to his country and nation internationally?

As Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka has pointed out, it was bad for the country's self-esteem as a situation has been created for international institutions to intervene in internal affairs. If Fonseka has a score to settle with an individual, he should have done it at a different forum, without putting the country in danger as the UN deal with Governments and not with individuals. As a member of the UN, the Government ought to respond to the UN demand.

It is generally accepted that an accuser should show enough proof to substantiate his or her allegation. But in this case, the UN has apparently taken Fonseka's statement as authentic source in asking the accused, the Sri Lanka Government, to show proof why the allegation is inaccurate.

It is pity that opportunistic opposition politicians are trying anything and everything to capture power. But what else could we expect from a bunch of bankrupt politicians such as Ranil Wickremesinge, Mangala Samaraweera, Somawansa Amarasinghe, Rauff Hakeem and Mano Ganeshan?

They have put the country's good name, its sovereignty and future at stake.Irrespective of our political beliefs, all Sri Lankans should stand as one to defend our country, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Fonseka has apparently attempted to add a black mark to the unblemished record of our Security Forces, widely considered as the most disciplined Army in the world.

All this has happened due to lust for power of an individual. He could be a contributor towards the success of humanitarian operation to crush LTTE terror but all that would now be overshadowed by his statement that has humiliated the country and its valiant Security Forces before the International Community.

The masses are intelligent enough and would never be carried away by various statements made by Fonseka. They would only rally round the person who has the common touch and always puts the country before self. Unlike Fonseka, President Rajapaksa has proved this by his acts, defending the nation as a true, patriotic and sincere leader.